A recent series of road inspections made by Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon brought to light the sorry state of our national roads, particularly in Southern Bicol and Eastern Visayas.
The sad state of our roads not only hamper economic progress but also pose a serious risk to the safety of motorists.
Last week, a serious accident involving a passenger jeepney in San Pedro City, Laguna once again shone a harsh spotlight on how corruption can result in deadly roads.
The jeepney allegedly ran through flimsy roadguards after colliding with a motorcycle and fell off a ravine.
Fortunately, no one inside the jeepney was seriously hurt, although one of the motorcycle riders was killed.
If not for the retaining wall of a warehouse adjoining the ravine which halted the jeepney’s plunge, the results could have been more catastrophic according to authorities.
Which brings us once again to the shocking truth that billions of pesos were allocated in ghost and spurious flood-control projects, but only a paltry amount has been allocated in ensuring the safety and maintenance of our roads.
Consider: data obtained by OpinYon Laguna showed that only P141 million had been allocated for the maintenance of secondary roads in the first district of Laguna, while only P150 million were allocated to constructing access roads in San Pedro City alone.
No amount was allocated to the maintenance of the road where the incident happened, notwithstanding the fact that it was located in mountainous terrain and had even been designated as a major alternate road in the (suspended) rehabilitation of the San Pedro-Tunasan Bridge.
The neglect of our roads is not just an issue of trust and accountability, it has become an issue of safety.
The fact that our roads had now become a serious risk to our motorists is tantamount to reckless imprudence – the default charge applied to drivers who are involved in accident situations.
Perhaps the same charges should be filed against officials of the DPWH and certain legislators who have allowed our roads to become death traps?
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